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The course was offered in Boone during October and February, during November in Ogden and during January in Madrid. Ogden Middle School and Madrid Elementary School assisted with the course in those communities.
Each course involved four classes with assignments and a workbook to complete between classes. During the classes, youth learned about the responsibilities of a babysitter and an employer, what employers expect, caring for infants and young children, age-appropriate toys and activities, safety and how to handle emergencies through basic first aid and rescue breathing.
Thirty-six youth completed the course offered in February at the Boone County Hospital. Community volunteers were speakers at the classes and involved the students in hands-on training. Volunteers for the course completed in Boone included Charles Irwin, Director of Boone County Historical Society, who represented parent employers; Boone fire fighter Max Cook; Boone police officer Mike Frazier, Megan Boyer and infant son Nathan Rose, who demonstrated infant care; Annette Brown, ISUE Youth Field Specialist, who outlined ages, stages and toy safety and Carissa Brown, a teen babysitter.
In addition, Rosie Burdess, Carrie Bristle and Marilyn Van Pelt from the Boone County Hospital taught choking victim and rescue breathing. Parent volunteers who oversaw workbooks were Laurie Doran, Misty Wisecup and Dalene Whitney.
In order to earn a signed certificate of completion, each participant had to complete the workbook titled, "Babysitting Basics." The expectations included a safety inspection of their home, diapering, feeding, burping a baby, entertaining a toddler or young child, and instruction on first aid including stopped breathing and choking victims.
Jennifer Clubine, of Boone County Hospital, and Joyce Patterson, of Boone County ISU Extension, are coordinators for the babysitter basics training courses. For more information on the training contact the Boone County ISU Extension Office at 432-3882.
